Five students at James Hart School in Homewood took first place honors at the Illinois Elementary School Association’s track and field events.

in the eighth grade boys 4X100 relay at the Illinois Elementary Athletic Association meet in May. (Provided News)
At the June 12 District 153 board meeting, board members recognized Seth Harris, who placed first in the seventh grade boys hurdles competition; Dylan Bell, who was first in the eighth grade boys long jump; and the boys eighth grade 4×100 relay team of Lee Watkins, Will Bundy, Eric Jacobs and Dylan Bell.

grade, hurdles. (Provided photo)
Hart sent 17 students to the state competition in East Peoria May 19-20. Other winners were:
- London Jarrett, third place, girls eighth grade, 200-meter.
- Zen Cambric, Seth Harris, Jaishean High and Jackson Wingba, third place, boys seventh grade 4×200 relay.
- Aniya Mullins, fourth place, girls eighth grade, 200.
- Seth Harris, sixth place, boys seventh grade, long jump.
- London Jarrett, sixth place, girls eighth grade, 100.
- Ryan Koprowski, seventh place, boys seventh grade, discus.
- Miyani Golston, London Jarrett, Aniya Mullins and Jada Redmon, eighth place, girls eighth grade, 4×100.
More than 200 students tried out for the track team and between 60 and 70 students started training the end of March to prepare to represent Hart at meets. They competed in conference meets and then sectionals. The winners at sectionals in Kankakee qualified for the state meet, said coach and teacher Ginni Donohue.
Working with Donohue were coaches Chris Blankenship, Tiffany Bailey and Elza Gasha.